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2002 Dodge RAM Quad Cab

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

156 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

25 reports
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40,900 miles · Dec 12, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE DASH OR UNDER HOOD. BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT KEPT FLASHING AND A/C FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH GAUGES BEGAN TO ACT DEFECTIVE AND FIRE ABRUPTED FROM THE DASH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145001

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2005
Electrical System

WE OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUADCAB 4X4, JUST SHORTLY OVER A YEAR AND ABOUT 27K MILES, MY WIFE AND I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE JUST SHUTTING OFF. WE'VE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE SHOP, UNDER THE INITIAL WARRANTY, AND EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY TIME OUT ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES UNDER THE SAME "T…

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WE OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUADCAB 4X4, JUST SHORTLY OVER A YEAR AND ABOUT 27K MILES, MY WIFE AND I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE JUST SHUTTING OFF. WE'VE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE SHOP, UNDER THE INITIAL WARRANTY, AND EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY TIME OUT ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES UNDER THE SAME "TICKET". THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY CONVINCED US TO LET THEM ALLOW ONE OF THEIR WORKERS TO DRIVE IT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK TO HAVE THE PROBLEM HAPPEN TO SOMEONE THAT WORKS THERE AND AFTER TWO DAYS, IT JUST SHUT OFF ON HIM. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THEY CONTACTED THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR CHRYSLER AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD THEY HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX IT SO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT STILL DOESN'T MATTER. NOW THEY WONT EVEN RETURN OUR CALLS. JUST LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK, TAKING THE EXIT FROM CRESWELL, OR AND GETTING ONTO I-5 TO HEAD INTO EUGENE, WHICH THE ON-RAMP IS A STANDARD CIRCULAR RAMP, AND AS SHE WAS TURNING, ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 TO 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN, LEAVING HER POWERLESS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN FORCING HER OFF THE RAMP AND INTO THE MUDDY MIDDLE SECTION ALMOST CAUSING A THREE CAR PILEUP. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP, THIS ENGINE IS FAILING AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IF NOT MORE AND IS GOING TO END UP KILLING US AND CHRYSLER DOESN'T CARE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141249

58,000 miles · Oct 18, 2005
Electrical System

ON 10-17-05 CARRIED MY 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB INTO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE CHECKED OUT AC WAS NOT WORKING AND THE HEATER WAS NOT EITHER HE TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE ING WIRES AND FOUND THEY WERE BURNED. CARRIED MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL DEALER IN MY HOMETOWN BECAUSE BOUGHT MY TRUCK OUT OF TOWN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL DEALER W…

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ON 10-17-05 CARRIED MY 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB INTO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE CHECKED OUT AC WAS NOT WORKING AND THE HEATER WAS NOT EITHER HE TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE ING WIRES AND FOUND THEY WERE BURNED. CARRIED MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL DEALER IN MY HOMETOWN BECAUSE BOUGHT MY TRUCK OUT OF TOWN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL DEALER WAS VERY RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. SWORE TO MYSELF I WOULD NOT USE THEM AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALER WHERE BOUGHT MY TRUCK THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ANY BETTER. ASK TO SPEAK TO PERSON OVER SERVICE HE TOLD ME IF IT WAS SAME PROBLEM AS LAST TIME THEN THEY DID NOT HAVE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAD TO FIX RECALLS ONE TIME ONLY. SO WHEN I WAS OFF THE PHONE WITH THEM I CALLED DODGE RECALL CENTER TO CHECK ON THIS. WHEN THEY TOLD ME THE DODGE DEALERS HAD TO FIX GAVE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONE MORE TRY. THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH BLOWER BUT ING WIRES WERE BURNED. I TOLD THEM THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TAKING ONE HOUR AND 50 MIN TO FIND THIS OUT AND PUT A NEW PART IN. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS STILL NOT VERY NICE BUT HAD TO HAVE MY TRUCK SO I CAN WORK. THEM NUMBER OF TIMES IT QUIT WORKING BEFORE IT WENT OUT ALL THE WAY IS 6 OR 7, HOPE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BETTER LUCK THAN ME. I WOULD THINK IF WIRES ARE BURNING UP THAT DODGE WOULD FIX AT THEIR COST NOT MINE BUT GUESS THEY DON'T GIVE A [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10140157

64,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Electrical System

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. CONTACT GOT OUT AND HIT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. CONTACT TRIED TO OPEN DOORS WITH THE KEY, BUT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK. ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE CONTACT TURNED VEHICLE ON AND NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. THE ONLY INDICATION THAT HE HAD THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WAS A SMALL RED …

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DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. CONTACT GOT OUT AND HIT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. CONTACT TRIED TO OPEN DOORS WITH THE KEY, BUT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK. ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE CONTACT TURNED VEHICLE ON AND NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. THE ONLY INDICATION THAT HE HAD THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WAS A SMALL RED LIGHT. NO DOOR LOCKS, NO INDICATION FOR CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. CONTACTED DODGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALLS WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. NO CRASHES. NO POLICE REPORTS. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED. UPDATE 11/15/05. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138575

54,800 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Electrical System

2002 DODGE RAM SERVICE BULLETIN 0800203 CONDENSATION BUILDS UP IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING FAN, FREEZES AND THEN TRIPS THE FUSE. WHEN THE FUSE IS TRIPPED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. MUSCATELL DODGE (MOORHEAD, MN) SAID THEY HAVE A COUPLE TO FIX EVERYTIME WE GET A SNOW STORM. DODGE HAS ISSUED A SERVI…

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2002 DODGE RAM SERVICE BULLETIN 0800203 CONDENSATION BUILDS UP IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING FAN, FREEZES AND THEN TRIPS THE FUSE. WHEN THE FUSE IS TRIPPED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. MUSCATELL DODGE (MOORHEAD, MN) SAID THEY HAVE A COUPLE TO FIX EVERYTIME WE GET A SNOW STORM. DODGE HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (0800203) TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. IT CALLS FOR REPLACING THE SHROUD ON THE FAN. IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I WAS JUST UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AT 55,000 MILES INSTEAD OF 35,000. THE SERVICE BULLETIN CALLS TO REPLACE THE SHROUD. I FEEL THAT IF DODGE IS REPLACING ORIGINAL PARTS WITH UPDATED PARTS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, OR AT LEAST OWN UP TO IT, AND REPLACE THE SHROUDS WHEN OR IF THE PROBLEM ARISES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107807

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

ELECTRICAL - CANNOT CHARGE A CELL PHONE IN ANY OF THE RECEPTACLES. WORKS IN OTHER VEHICLES. TRANSMISSION - CHANGES GEARS VERY ROUGH, SOMTIMES ON ACCELERATION, ALL THE TIME WHEN DECELERATING. STEERING - AT TIMES THE STEERING DOES NOT WANT TO WORK. WILL NOT TURN, VERY HARD AS IF NO RACK AND PINION. TRUCK SLIDES OUT AT TIMES DUR…

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ELECTRICAL - CANNOT CHARGE A CELL PHONE IN ANY OF THE RECEPTACLES. WORKS IN OTHER VEHICLES. TRANSMISSION - CHANGES GEARS VERY ROUGH, SOMTIMES ON ACCELERATION, ALL THE TIME WHEN DECELERATING. STEERING - AT TIMES THE STEERING DOES NOT WANT TO WORK. WILL NOT TURN, VERY HARD AS IF NO RACK AND PINION. TRUCK SLIDES OUT AT TIMES DURING TURNS, STEERING GETS PULLED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10091386

15,000 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

EXCESSIVE STOPLAMP FAILURES, REPLACED LAMPS DUE TO MELTING OF BASE REPEATEDLY,4TH TIME IN 8 MOS. NO SERVICE KIT OR UPGRADES AVAILABLE, CHECK CHEVY, SAME TAIL LIGHT BOARD SET-UP, SAME PROBLEMS, PERHAPS THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ON PROBLEM?*AK SEVERE SHAKING UNDER BRAKING, STARTED AT 15K MILES, SERVICER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY…

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EXCESSIVE STOPLAMP FAILURES, REPLACED LAMPS DUE TO MELTING OF BASE REPEATEDLY,4TH TIME IN 8 MOS. NO SERVICE KIT OR UPGRADES AVAILABLE, CHECK CHEVY, SAME TAIL LIGHT BOARD SET-UP, SAME PROBLEMS, PERHAPS THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ON PROBLEM?*AK SEVERE SHAKING UNDER BRAKING, STARTED AT 15K MILES, SERVICER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY (12K WARRANTY), HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THESE ROTORS. SEVERE SHAKING ON SWEEPING RIGHT HAND FREEWAY TURNS, PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE AT ANTIOCH/DELTA DODGE. ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM WHEN IN FOR SERVICE, NOT NOTED ON SERVICE TICKETS. INDEPENDENT FRONT END LEAKAGE, PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE AT ANTIOCH/DELTA DODGE. THIS MY 3RD DODGE TRUCK SINCE 1996, 1ST ONE WAS GREAT, 2ND HAD REPEATED REAREND ISSUES, 3RD SEEMS TO BE HAVING EXCESSIVE ISSUES ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF COMPONENTS, I WOULD LIKE HELP IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES, AS PRESENTLY I STILL VIEW DODGE AS THE LEADER IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

NHTSA ODI #10064170

10,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK. I MYSELF HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION JERKING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING (AND NOT EVEN AT LONG PERIODS OF TIME). AT TIMES WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AT…

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CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK. I MYSELF HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION JERKING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING (AND NOT EVEN AT LONG PERIODS OF TIME). AT TIMES WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL AND I HAVE TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF THE TRUCK AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO MOVE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPORTED AT THE DEALER YET BECAUSE THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. JUST NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY REAR TAILLIGHTS. AT DIFFERENT TIMES, DIFFERENT BULBS WOULD SEEM TO GO OUT CAUSING THE "LAMP OUT" INDICATOR LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB MYSELF (CAUSE BULBS ARE NOT WARRANTY), I FOUND THAT THE SOCKETS WERE CAUSING THE BULB HOUSING TO MELT INSIDE THE SOCKETS AS WELL AS ON THE BULBS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ONLY REPLACED ONE SIDE BECAUSE THE OTHER THEY DID NOT HAVE IN STOCK, YET THEY DID NOT EVEN BOTHER ORDERING THE OTHER SIDE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD MY RACK & PINION REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AND ALSO HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY TCM AND PCM REPROGRAMED BECAUSE THEY WERE CAUSING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL AS MAKING MY AIR CONDITIONING INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058858

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical System

PROBLEMS WITH SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, BLOW MOTOR, ELECTRIC REAR DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS AND PAINT ON THE HOOD. *PH THE GAUGES ON THE DASH PANEL FAILED. THE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE LEFT SIGNAL FLASHED, SOMETIMES BOTH SIGNAL ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. T…

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PROBLEMS WITH SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, BLOW MOTOR, ELECTRIC REAR DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS AND PAINT ON THE HOOD. *PH THE GAUGES ON THE DASH PANEL FAILED. THE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE LEFT SIGNAL FLASHED, SOMETIMES BOTH SIGNAL ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND FRONT PANEL BEGAN TO CHIP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10056091

14,500 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING DURING RAINING WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE ALTERNATOR DIED. DEALER STATED THAT HE HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT YET. *AK ALTERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STEERING IS STIFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH RAIN.*TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10038329

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02096 · Rear Axle Failure

Opened Dec 26, 2002 · Closed May 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:axle Assembly; Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:axle Assembly

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.